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Post by maxington on Jun 11, 2019 10:46:18 GMT
The HIMS-Discovery, the Imperial Navy's newest large-deck amphibious assault ship, left the HIMNB Berkley today for her home-port of Berkshire, following its official commissioning. The ship which was produced in Berkley by Noriega and Pennington-Reid, will serve the backbone of Luthori's expeditionary capacity. Minister of Defence, Jordan Tannenbay, stated that the HIMS-Discovery was the beginning of the reorganisation and rebuilding of Luthori's expeditionary fleet. With a crew of 433, the amphibious assault ship will become an extremely important tool in expanding the providence of the Imperial Navy and extending Luthori's presence will beyond national and regional borders. Tannenbay stated that the government was determined in maintaining and enhancing Luthori's naval prowess and general scope, citing its intentions of purchasing up to four of the amphibious assault ships with the HIMS-Discovery being the lead of the ship class, hence the name the Discovery class. The HIMS-Vantage, HIMS-Providence and HIMS-Beguilement are expected to be the other ships within the class. It has been stated that Pennington-Reid has already begin construction of the HIMS-Vantage which will see completion in 2030 alongside the HIMS-Providence. The entire programme has estimated to have costed the government around 25 billion in research and development, construction and flow-line maintenance.
The HIMS-Discovery will form the backbone of the new 1st Expeditionary Task Force, which will comprise of a marine regiment and a destroyer/frigate escort. The amphibious assault ship is specifically designed to remain off shore near troubled areas of the world ready to send forces ashore quickly by helicopters. As in the name, the Discovery's primary role is in support of amphibious assaults as it is fully capable of conducting and supporting amphibious assaults, advance force and special purpose operations, non-combatant evacuation, and other humanitarian missions. The ship's air wing will comprise of a mix between various helicopters and a squadron of Harrier jump jets, whilst its ground wing will comprise of amphibious vehicles to perform sea control and limited power projection missions.
Additionally, the vessel can be altered for varying mission objectives. For example, its helicopter air wing can be transferred out to accommodate for a pure combat environment which could see around 30 harrier jump jets be positioned/stationed on the ship and a pure transport environment which could see a plethora of helicopter aviation from the Chinook to the Merlin helicopter. The ship can also double of a floating hospital in the event of a mass casualty event. The Discovery is is armed with two SlipStream Sea Javelin Surface Missile Systems for anti-air warfare protection, two Rolling Air-frame Missile Systems and two Close-In-Weapons Systems mounts to counter threats from low flying aircraft. Six missile decoy launchers augment the anti-ship missile defences. Following its commissioning, the HIMS-Discovery will join the 1st Fleet as part of Amphibious Group One , with Capt. Jaiden Cooper as the commanding officer. The ship is 230 metres in length, has a beam of 32 metres, and two azimuth thruster plants developing a combined 70,000 horsepower, will drive the 26,000 ton ship to speeds in excess of 21 knots. Sea trials for the vessel are expected to begin in September, 2023 and will end around April, 2024.
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Post by maxington on Jun 12, 2019 14:32:07 GMT
DON Alternatives is to undertake an extremely ambitious battery power project in an attempt to harness Luthori's potential in wind and solar energy. DON Alternatives, the alternative energy subsidiary of the Luthorian-based DON Energy, will connect an industrial-scale battery, the size of half a football pitch, to the Hammerfield onshore wind-farm early next year to capture more power from its 215 turbines. This project is set to lead the way for similar projects across Luthori's largest renewable energy sites over the following two (2) years. The company has stated that the move would be a significant step towards continuous renewable energy electrical supply and low-level independence from fossil fuels. The battery, to be constructed alongside VOLT, has more than double the power capacity of any battery currently being used in the Luthorian renewable energy market. It would take an hour to charge and could potentially power the island republic of Keymon for 30 days straight without recharging. It has long been championed by companies such as DON Alternatives and VOLT that batteries would propel renewable energy to another level, a sentiment which is needed in enhancing the competitive of the Luthorian renewable energy market.
Currently, DON Alternatives and VOLT are working with chemical production companies such as Harris Chemicals to develop a lithium-ion battery. According to a spokesperson with DON Alternatives, lithium ion batteries would allow for the Hammerfield wind-farm more renewable power by storing electricity when wind speeds are high, for use when the wind drops. The spokesman stated that with time, the company will be able to use more wind output from the project as even in low wind conditions capture far more of the wind rather than wasting that potential energy. For example, the batteries could charge overnight – when demand for power is low – and release electricity in the morning, when demand from homes and businesses begins to rise. The company's CEO, Jonah O'Finn , stated that the project was an excellent and proud chapter for the company. Whilst DON Alternatives is set to work on a wind-farm which will dwarf the Hammerfield onshore wind-farm in both size and output. DON Alternatives hopes to take its alternative energy solutions outside of Luthori with negotiations on a potential wind farm on the Bretton Islands and a wind-farm near Turtle Bay. The battery roll out by DON is its most ambitious project yet.
Surge Microsystems, the Luthorian semiconductor giant has stated that it intends on opening its largest factory yet in Baltusia, as apart of its plan to expand production of its products from semiconductors (memory chips, etc). CEO of Surge Microsystems, Ashton Turnera stated that the new factory in Baltusia would allow for the company to make micro-systems at a lower cost due to its scale at a time where the processes used by other companies are becoming increasingly expensive. Surge Microsystems has increased its portfolio through its joint venture with Mordusian mobile phones maker, Empresa Stela where Surge Microsystems develops the various microprocessors which enhance the phone's capabilities particularly in the areas of memory and general battery life. Apart from this, the company is influential in the processors and chips that go into Panoramic's televisions and was influential in the development of Panoramic's OLED market entrance after an agreement was signed between the two companies which mandated continued joint research and development into OLED technology whilst Panoramic charges into the OLED market with new products. It is expected that Surge will begin negotiations with Kalistani MicroDivisions on using the former's proven microsystems in the latters range of mobile phones. CEO Turnera stated that whilst the company had invested heavily in the mobile phone market, it has no intention to enter the market with its own mobile phone in the foreseeable future.
According to Turnera, the factory in Baltusia would allow for the company to compete in the Seleyan markets with aggression. The company had expressed its intentions of entering the seleyan microsystems markets with its semiconductor lineup. According to the company's COO, Dillon Fraser , the factory would allow for the company to double its current capacity for microsystems to an annual 80 million units after the phased expansion plan is complete. Baltusia's market base allows for an ease of doing business only seen in nations such as Keymon and Mordusia, Thus, Surge views its entrance into the markets as a major win in terms of future potential.
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Post by maxington on Jun 15, 2019 0:49:45 GMT
Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman arrives in Alcaria, Mordusia earlier this morning to sign the Alcaria Agreement alongside key government officials from Keymon, Darnussia, Likatonia, Mordusia and Sekowo. The leaders of the nations — Luthorian Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman, Keymonite Prime Minister Kalili Makaio, Sekowan Prime Minister Muto Sanzo, Darnussian Governor-General Marcus Ruben, Likatonian King and Mordusian Prince Carlos Erias — inked the agreement around midday today in the Mordusian Government complex. The signing of the agreement comes amidst a successful round of private negotiations on the agreement's nature. Whilst the ceremonial pomp is out of the way the agreement still has a long way to go before it takes full effect. The agreement still has to be approved by the legislatures of all six nations — and there still remains uncertainty as to whether the agreement will include new members as time progresses. A key point in the agreement was that it could not swell beyond the size of fifteen members.
The process towards the official signing of the Alcaria Agreement came about two years after Elizabeth Zimmerman assumed the Chancellorship, with formal negotiations beginning around July, 2021 when the agreement was known as the Three Mountains Agreement with core members such as Luthori, Keymon and Mordusia. The negotiations were at times tense, with disagreements over various aspects of the deal and personality clashes among the countries' top negotiators. The agreement as mentioned prior must be reviewed in the parliaments of the six member states before the agreement could officially come into effect. There have been concerns as to whether within the agreement Luthori gives too much than it is getting back. In the agreement Luthori was recognised as the only economy within the free trade area capable of absorbing the amount of trade to be hopefully passing between both nations. In essence, the Luthorian government opened the Luthorian markets to the other five nations (Mordusia, Sekowo, Keymon, Likatonia and Darnussia) to absorb and stabilise initial trade volumes.
During pre-agreement negotiations, the members had contemplated on the merits of the structure of the trade agreement. Members were stuck between a free trade area, a customs union and/or a common market economy. The main proponents for the free trade area were nations such as Keymon and Mordusia; who wanted to remove taxes and tariffs on trade between each other but still maintain the ability to enforce their own tariffs on nations outside of the free trade area. The main proponents for the customs union were Luthori and Sekowo; who wanted to remove taxes and tariffs on trade between each other and attempt to set the same tariffs on goods from external nations. The main proponents for the common market economy was Darnussia; who wanted to remove taxes and tariffs on trade between other nations within the SME, work towards impose the same set of tariffs on external nations and also limit the amount of goods from external nations that enter the common market.
🛈 A graph illustrating a comparison between the choices for which the Alcaria Agreement was to be built on
It had been agreed upon by the various members that the best way to structure the trade bloc was with a free trade area in mind. This was done to ensure that members maintained a large degree of autonomy to handle affairs outside of the bounds of the agreement. Principle Negotiator, Lord Spencer Brimsley stated that the free trade area allowed for increased flexibility among member states. By forming a free trade area, there will be virtually no tariffs imposed on goods and services moving between the member states (Luthrori, Keymon and Mordusia). Whilst the free trade area would allow for a cancelling of tariffs between member states, it could not dictate the ability of a member state to impose tariffs on the goods of a nation outside of the free trade area. Free Trade areas offer opportunity for nations to negotiate trade agreements with each other on a much more finer and less regulatory basis. Some nations see it as more benefitial to carefully select their trading partners and protect their local industry more carefully rather than handing over control. With a free trade area may champion openness, it could also superimpose protectionism as some products could be exempt from the free trade area. For example, Keymonite pineapples or Mordusian wine could be exempt from the free trade area and hence tariffs on wine and pineapples coming from any nation could still have tariffs waved onto them.
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Post by maxington on Jun 16, 2019 11:02:57 GMT
The Luthorian Armed Forces aims to consolidate cyber-related investment, training and planning for both defensive and offensive operations underneath a unified Cyber Command. Once up and running this new cyber command will integrate defensive capabilities provided by the Luthorian Armed Forces CS Branch with collection and offensive operations being handed over to the Defence Intelligence Organisation. Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Admiral Timothy Calliwell decided that a unified command should be formed as a means of allowing for the military's cybernetic capabilities to operate with increased fluidity and coordination. As such, he directed that a multi-branch team of specialists from the CS Branch and Defence Intelligence work over the next two years on honing a development plan for the new organisation. Amidst Jordan Tannenbay assuming the position as Minister of Defence, the Luthorian Armed Forces had been making significant investments into cybernetic action. Once operational, the new command to be called the Cybernetic Defence Command, will consolidate the investment, training and operations undertaken by the CS Branch and the units and organisations which loosely exist underneath its unofficial "command".
Retired Luthorian Army Electronic Warfare Officer, Major Leo Brent welcomed the formation of the Cybernetic Defence Command as the military moves to become increasingly capable on both the battlefield and in the alleys of hybrid cybernetic warfare. According to Admiral Calliwell, the commander of the Cybernetic Defence Command has not been sourced as of yet, with a process of vetting officers and personnel for high-ranking positions in the new command structure is yet to be initiated by the Ministry of Defence. However, it has been rumoured that the likes of Major Leo Brent (IA), Air commodore Archer Dean (IAF) and Commodore Stephen Wilson (IN) are among those to be vetted by the Ministry of Defence for the position of Commander of Cybernetic Defence Command. In speaking with experts in the field of cybernetic warfare/electronic warfare, The connection between defensive and offensive cyber is extremely important, and the fact that until now they were viewed as separate domains was a kind of anomaly. Instead of focusing on the challenges, it's better to adopt a future-oriented, holistic view of how much stronger and readier we'll be in two, three or five years from now against this growing threat.
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Post by maxington on Jun 16, 2019 11:07:07 GMT
Months after it was first displayed by Panoramic at the Fort William Technical Expo, the CX-900 OLED HDTV has begunselling in Sekowo, with the roll out tying in retailer Radio Guru as its exclusive initial dealer. The acronym for OLED meaning, Organic Light Emitting Diode. According to Panoramic, it possess an infinite contrast ratio, besting any other display technology with completely black black. In addition the performance of the television, the OLED TV maintains better energy efficiency standards than regular LED LCD televisions and also possess a wide viewing angle. The CX-900 weighs just about 15 kilograms. According to Panoramic the revolutionary product has undergone strict testing procedures and standards for high image quality. The CX-900 joins a series of televisions to enter the Sekowan markets from Panoramic including the CX-800 and the CX-700, both OLED televisions but smaller than the CX-900. According to the company, a factory will be constructed in Sekowo to accommodate for the estimated number as the products will not only be sold in the Sekowan markets but the markets of other nations including New Luthori and Dankuk. CEO of Panoramic Sekowo, Hamadate Hirokichi stated that the company would be changing its model to align with a new business model being pushed out by Panoramic to appear more modern to its customers.
Radio Guru will continue to roll out the OLED TV's until it has sold around 5 million units in each of the brands from the CX-700 to the CX-900 after which the company will either negotiate with Panoramic on renewing the contract or terminating its agreement. It is expected that Radio Guru will expand its base of operations in Sekowo alongside Panoramic Sekowo's expand and remodelling. At the VIP launch event for the products Hirokichi stated that the company was determined to ensure that customers had the ability to to enjoy the unparalleled visual experience in person. Radio Guru stated that it would begin selling the televisions for varying prices based on their sizes and capabilities. The CX-700 will be sold for around ¥14,000, the CX-800 at around ¥70,000 and the CX-700 at around ¥140,000. Panoramic's launch solidifies it's lead in the OLED market. As the world becoming increasingly hungry for new technology, products such as OLED TVs are becoming a must have for many tech savvy consumers. Panoramic is the first company to commercialise OLED television which will begin selling in Mordusia and Keymon in the coming year. According to Panoramic's Chief Market Adviser, Sebastian Williamson , the launching of the product in Sekowo rather than in established markets such as Keymon and Mordusia comes as a test of new market potential and public opinion on the product.
With its gently curved screen, the new OLED represents a unique design statement for discerning high-end consumers. This represents the first major design change in the industry since the widespread introduction of flat-panel TVs to the consumer marketplace more than a decade ago. With more than five years of research behind developing the optimal curvature, the curved OLED TV brings cinema quality imagery to the home. Complementing its unique screen design, the curved OLED TV features thin transparent film speakers in a handsome crystal clear stand, providing high-quality audio performance. The curved OLED TV also benefits from the innovative features consumers have come to expect from Panoramic: Smart TV capabilities with Magic Remote and Voice Recognition features to enable gesture and voice controls, 3D capabilities to enable a more immersive 3D viewing experience.
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Post by maxington on Jun 16, 2019 11:12:50 GMT
The Imperial Navy wants to harden its surface warfare vessels against a rapidly advancing electronic warfare environment.In jump starting the process to develop advanced electronic warfare counter measures, the Ministry of Defence has recently awarded Leyland-Granholm a $200 million contract for ongoing Type 2 systems which are apart of the wider Electronic Warfare Adaptability Suit (EWAS). The EWAS is a shipbound electronic warfare system which enables the Imperial Navy to provide electronic warfare support and counter measures for the protection of a task force and/or allies, if the scenario rises. The upgrade to the Type 2 system, according to the President of Leyland-Granholm Cybernetic Systems, will allow for the system to handle an increased intensity as it pertains to electronic warfare attacks. Developed by Leyland-Granholm in 1990, the EWAS scans the electronic spectra for signs of incoming missiles. Unlike the Type-1 system which the Type-2 replaces with significant improves, the Type-2 reaches across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and tune into not just missiles but ships, and radio traffic. With modernisation underway for the Series 500 destroyers, which carry the EWAS and Type-2 these improvements when combined will take electronic warfare to another level, hence giving Luthori the combat edge it desires.
With interface integration being debated within the higher echelons of Defence Command. "An increased flow of information allows for the system to make faster decisions." An engineer working on the Type-2 said. "When large amount of intelligence can be integrated into the system, that creates a very powerful advantage, in that it enables the combat system to be looking everywhere all at once." The engineer also said. In practical terms the Type-2B as the upgrade will be known, will give commanders the ability to effectively manoeuvre the electronic warfare landscape. The open interface as Leyland-Granholm proposed will allow for the Type 2B and the large EWAS to interface with other intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets. Leyland Granholm has stated that it intends on opening the programme to other nations. According to the company's CEO, James Riley there have been considerations of allowing the Horizon Technology Corporation to join the programme. Looking ahead, the likelihood of the Imperial Navy seeing a Type-3 from Leyland-Granholm is increasing amidst the internal announcement that it had patented the name.
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Post by maxington on Jun 17, 2019 13:06:28 GMT
The University of Portswood, Harwick College celebrated the opening of its campus in Middlebrook with an event attended by the member of parliament for Middlebrook-West, Elliot Balland President of the University of Portswood Dr. Jaden Graham. Harwick College is the first university in Luthori built for the digital age, bringing together academia and industry to pioneer leadership and transformational new research, products, companies and ideas. The University of Portswood, which ranks itself as among the most prestigious educational institutions on the Artanian continent, had long contemplated the creation of a technical university built for the digital age. According to Harwick College Chancellor Ryan Macdonald, the opening of the university comes as Portswood moves to redefine the model for education — a model that melds cutting-edge research and education with entrepreneurship and real world application. Harwick College started up as a minor institution within the University of Portswood, mainly focusing on information technology seeing that the University, at the time had not prepared for the influx of information technologies and communication students into the university. Already the institution has seen around 300 individuals graduate and move onto larger fields in information technology and communications or go onto create their own businesses.
Masters students across all programs — computer science, law, business, electrical engineering, operations research, connective media and health tech — spend time learning and working collaboratively together in a Studio curriculum with extensive engagement with the tech industry. The projects students pursue in the Studio encourage them to practice entrepreneurship, product design, tech and public policy, management and other skills, helping them graduate with tangible, marketable experience and a portfolio of completed work that will help launch their career. Harwick’s 30-member faculty has launched cutting-edge research groups in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction and Social Computing, Security and Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Modelling, and Business, Law and Policy. All of the faculty have a focus on applied research and having a real world impact.
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Post by maxington on Jun 17, 2019 14:11:15 GMT
A consortium of Luthori's largest worker's unions are pushing for the government to legislate on shorter working hours and minimum wage increases in the industrial and services sectors earlier this month, in a drive to balance the extremities of work and life. The demand by unions such as the All-Luthorian Workers Trade Union (ALWTU), the Union of Service Employees (USE), the Unified Steelworkers Association (USA) comes as confidence in the Luthorian economists of Luthori's economic growth. Under the banner of the Luthorian Labour Confederation (LLC), the aforementioned trade unions which combined account for 47% of Luthori's 101 million labour force. It is the opinion of the Labour Confederation that amidst Luthori's economic growth, which is in part due to their efforts, the workers of Luthori should have a fair share in the profits of this predicted economic growth. Solid growth has been recognised in the financing and services sector with the industrial sector set to benefit from the ease in heavy industry restrictions in the coming months. Luthori is rapidly becoming the major economic force in Artania with its eyes set on replacing Dorvik as the region's economic powerhouse. Having opened its markets to international trade, the Luthorian Government has lamented its intention to actualise the sentiment that Luthori will rise to surpass Dorvik economically in the western hemisphere.
The demanded minimum wage increase comes as many find difficulty in surviving underneath the current minimum wage regime. Currently, the national minimum wage is set at a mere 5 pounds for persons under the age of 18, with a 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% increase for those between the ages of 18 to 21, 21 t0 24 and 25 and over respectively. A report by the Portswood Economic Institute found that persons relying on the minimum wage regime are becoming increasingly restricted as it pertains to economic freedoms. Within the report it drew the example of a single mother working at a popular fast food chain earning 8 pounds an hour, just above the national average of 7.30 pounds. Because of the earnings, she had applied for government assistance. The report stated that for single parents with 2+ children, the estimated minimum wage necessary in maintaining financial stability would have to be set around 18 pounds. The report stated that in-order for basic needs to be accounted for, the national monthly wage minimum would have to be around 3,000 pounds in the case for single parents with 2+ children and was said to be greater for single parents with 2+ children with health complication. General Secretary of the Luthorian Labour Confederation, Edwin Moore demanded that the national minimum wage be increased to around 12 pounds an hour, with the national monthly wage minimum being legislated to never decrease below 1,500 pounds. This is a fundamental change in the figures proposed a year prior which demanded an increase in minimum wage to 20 pounds.
Moore called for a major change in working hours policy among businesses. Moore demanded that working hours be reduced to 30 hours from 40 hours — with a right to return to full-time work after two years — for persons caring for children and other family members. A study by the University of Hullforth found that there was an increased demand for personal time among workers over pay. Minister of Labour and Small Business Enterprise, Cole Andrews stated that the matter of increasing the minimum wage had been on the agenda of Imperial Chancellor Zimmerman's 2nd Ministry. He stated that whilst the government had not begun negotiations with the trade unions, a bill is being crafted which will grant recognised trade unions the ability to negotiate working hours with businesses, hence granting specificity to the industries and thus removing the issue from a predominantly union-to-government-to-business system to a union-to-business system, removing the government as the "middle-man".
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Post by maxington on Jun 17, 2019 15:46:52 GMT
Having promised to focus on the economy in her 1st Ministry, Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman is now shifting her focus on the promise that brought her party back into government; social services and education. Whilst she had been legislatively pre-occupied with the economy, the universal private healthcare system introduced by the previous conservative government had remained in-place with little reform. Amidst the reshuffling the Imperial Cabinet, the new Health Minister alongside Chancellor Zimmerman announced a major reformation of the national healthcare system. Health Minister Jerome Annesley stated that the current system was unacceptable as the system had become privy to the influence of major healthcare insurance companies. Annesley stated that he wanted to remove the government's worries on rates. Whilst there was no legislation on the government maintaining the ability to set rates offered by healthcare insurance companies, the fact still remained that for low-income families, underneath the current welfare system, the government maintained rates for persons underneath this category and for individuals not within the category of "low-income", the government had little word in the rates companies charged. Health Minister Jerome Annesley stated that he, alongside Chancellor Zimmerman wanted to change the system entirely to reflect the government's liberal ideology.
Before the Imperial Diet, Imperial Chancellor Zimmerman proposed the Regional Health Systems Act. According to information from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the proposed Regional Health Systems act would seek to decentralise healthcare to a level whereby regional councils can manage healthcare affairs on a regional basis without having the ability to dictate major policy such as being able to determine whereby healthcare in a specific region would be private or public. The primary responsibility of these regional health authorities as they will be called will include patient treatment, education of medical staff, research and training of patients and relatives. The areas supposedly to be covered by these regional health authorities include hospitals, psychiatry, ambulance service, operation of pharmacies at the hospitals, emergency telephone number and laboratories. According to the legislation there will be around Four (4) regional health authorities (North, South, East and West Regional Health Authorities) with around four subsidiary authorities (North-West, North-East, South-West and South-East Regional Health Trusts). Under this new system, the government would be the principle financier, hence transforming the system into a public healthcare system as the government aims to alleviate financial pressure on the population amidst recent growth statistics.
Economists state that whilst the push for the creation of a public healthcare system is valiant at best, it would increase government spending, especially in the area of healthcare and welfare, three-fold. The universally private healthcare system allowed for the government to focus the majority of healthcare budget on welfare, hence the budget stood at around 60 billion pounds. However, the introduction of the public healthcare regime could see that budget triple to around 180 billion and in some cases quadruple to around 240 billion, which would surpass education as the highest spender by 140 billion pounds. As budget day draws closer, the prospect for a public healthcare system is becoming increasingly evident as the Ministry of Finance and the Economy is moving to shift around appropriations to fund the new multi-billion pound regime. The bill is expected to pass in the Imperial Diet in the coming months, and will come into effect on 1st September, 2025 some days prior to the release of the National Budget.
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Post by maxington on Jun 18, 2019 21:54:42 GMT
The emerging eastern-seleyan/western-dovani strategy as proposed by Foreign Minister Paulette St. Claire will seek tosustain the balance of powers in favour of those wishing to maintain the establish global peace and rules based order. To achieve this, the strategy outlines that an enhanced security relationship would be needed with nations such as Sekowo and Kalistan. The Foreign Minister stated that she wanted Luthori to have an increased interests in the region as it is an obligation for a global power such as Luthori. Luthori, currently remains a minor player in the eastern -seleyan/western-dovani region, however its presence could meaningfully contribute to regional security efforts, particularly in expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperative initiatives with like-minded regional partners. Whilst scepticism is maintained among the aforementioned Kalistan and Sekowo on western nations enhancing their foreign policy footprint in the region, with good reason, a pivot/re-engagement towards the region by Luthori should be welcomed as a means of reversing the downward spiral between trans-continental relations especially among Kalistan and the western- seleya nations.
Deep historic roots to the nations of the region propel Luthori to legacy status in the region's security structure. As the Artanian nations is rising in the chains of economic and political power, Foreign Minister St. Claire outlined in her outlook for 2025 to 2026 that a new relationship should be established with the nations of the eastern-seleyan/western-dovani region with the specific intentions of inclusiveness. She recognised that amidst the emergence of the western seleyan economic prosperity, nations such as Kalistan, Baltusia and Lodamon are not developing economically as fast as their western and southern seleyan counterparts. Luthori's primary objectives in the region as outlined by the Foreign Minister in the outlook were to: (1) protect national interests; (2) promote transnational trade and commercial relationships and (3) preventing the collapse of the established peace within the region. Although Luthori has little territorial or military presence in the region — its contributions are mainly limited to soft diplomatic efforts — recent military developments particularly in the commissioning of the amphibious assault ships Discovery and Providence may offer some opportunity to change this calculus. The only military bases to service the regions rests in both New Luthori and New Endralon.
In terms of bilateral partnerships, Sekowo and New Luthori (the latter in particular) are eager to see an increased Luthorian involvement in the region. Both enjoy extremely close military and cultural ties dating prior to the establishment of the modern commonwealth. As the government moves cement its relationship with its commonwealth members, in the future there can be a potential update of the pre-existing Security Cooperation Agreement between Luthori and New Luthori. Apart from New Luthori, Luthori's other military ally in the region is Sekowo. Apart from New Luthori, Sekowo is the only nations on the Dovanian continent by which Luthori maintains official diplomatic relations with through the Luthorian-Sekowan Free Trade Agreement. Whilst no engagement has been made on the part of Luthori to formalise defence ties with Sekowo, Foreign Minister St. Claire's outlook stated that there was room for continued cooperation and the potential for said cooperation to be formalised. Luthori's approach to the region comes as St. Claire's much larger plan to ensure that development within the aforementioned regions occur at the same rate and time at which other regions such as Artania and Western Seleya are advancing. St. Claire stated that development is hindered when members are not on the same standing/footing to benefit equally.
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Post by maxington on Jun 19, 2019 18:12:45 GMT
Luthori and Kalistan may seen unlikely allies in eastern seleyan geopolitics but recent developments have forced Fort William and Kaliburg closer together, setting the stage for one of the strangest bedfellows. Both nations are not on speaking terms, not as a result of a diplomatic spat of the past but because unlike other nations in the continent whom Fort William may recognise as its partners in the region, there are no formal diplomatic or military relations existing between Kalistan and Luthori. However whilst there is no formal engagement the informal still remains a crucial factor in Luthori's evolving Eastern Policy and its subordinate Eastern Seleya Policy. These informal ties between Kaliburg and Fort William are based around a common understanding on security in the eastern seleya region. This was the sentiment of Chief of the Imperial General Staff Admiral Timothy Calliwell when he arrived in Kaliburg earlier this morning. The Admiral's visit to the nation, the first military visit by a high-ranking officer within the Luthorian Armed Forces, comes as apart of the new foreign policy dynamic which stresses on an increased presence in the Eastern Hemisphere with an increased emphasis on building strategic partnerships as a means of ensuring the continuation of the established global order and peace. The Admiral's visit comes in a bid to coordinate steps and seeks out Kalistan's definition of security within the eastern seleya region.
Due to the nation's geographic position and geopolitical standing, Kalistan has risen to become the dominant force responsible for guaranteeing eastern seleyan security, having the largest military in the sub-region. Upon arrival Admiral Calliwell met with Kalistan's Defence Minister and Interim Chief of Military General Staff Lt. General Ursula Fernandez. Whilst Luthori maintains no military presence in the region, the commissioning of the HIMS- Discovery and the HIMS-Providence Amphibious Assault Ships (AAS) and the constructions of the Vantage and Beguilement, their forward deployment would in-effect erase this factor and hence allow for Luthori to maintain a presence in the region, mainly served through its military installations in New Endralon. Luthori's inclusion of Kalistan in its eastern policy strategy reflects a geopolitical shift, once upheld by the rift between Kalistan and Luthori's closer allies on the seleyan continent Mordusia and Keymon. Amidst the diplomatic spats between the aforementioned nations and Kalistan, the Luthorian Government maintained its distance from the eastern seleyan state, however Admiral Calliwell's visit and the foreign policy shift oriented at inclusion of the eastern hemisphere, attempts to reverse this relationship and to operate it on ground favourable to Luthori and not on the ground of circumstance brought about by the actions of other nations.
In speaking with General Fernandez, Admiral Calliwell stated that Kalistan and Luthori have a shared understanding of security concerns in the region. Calliwell stated that his conversations with General Fernandez helped to advance a shared understanding of the security situation in the region as seen through the eyes of the Kalistani Government. Admiral Calliwell stated that giving birth to a Luthorian-Kalistani relationship is the first block in ensuring that the government in Fort William can stop worrying about the geopolitical changes faced by its partners in the region. Calliwell, in meeting with General Fernandez signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Security in the Eastern Seleya Region, which formalised Luthori and Kalistan's commitment to a share understanding of security and a continued drive towards resolving security concerns. In a press conference, Calliwell said "Responsible nations have a responsibility to be responsible," reaffirming that in the shift global geopolitical climate, there is an increased obligation and pressure on dominant powers to maintain peace and order. Whilst the sentiment of the straits was bypassed, Calliwell stated that as the relationship continues to develop, opportunities will arise whereby both Luthori and Kalistan can discuss the straits and the future of the straits policy in its entirety.
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Post by maxington on Jun 19, 2019 21:38:35 GMT
Chairman of Commonwealth Airways, Theodore Campbell stated that Pixi Group's proposed plans for its multinational operations has the potential to shake up the international commercial airline market. Pixi Group, the spiritual successor of the multinational conglomerate Alternex, is already a world leader in commodities offered by the former Alternex Group, however with the re-branding of Pixi Airlines, the corporation has entered the commercial airline market with a youthful vigour. CEO and Chairman of Pixi Group, Derrick Kenny stated that Pixi Airlines would focus its creative attention on markets such as Seleya, Artania and Dovani. The move to capitalise on these markets by Pixi represents the extreme confidence and strength of the airline through its powerful parent company. Kenny stated that the airline will be a low-cost alternative to the more expensive airlines operating in the region. He stated that he had a vision to bring the high class travel and comfort offer by many larger airlines such as Commonwealth Airways at a low cost. Amidst Pixi Group's introduction to the Triple A alliance, it intends on pushing for a level playing field in the commercial airline market. Pixi Group, in response to Pixi Airlines' request, acquired Condor Airlines and Condor Express, two Rutanian airlines which were near bankruptcy. The acquisition of the airlines enables Pixi Airlines to benefit from the expertise of the two companies with the two airlines being among the largest on the Artanian for the second half of the 20th century.
Kenny stated that he wanted to establish non-stop flights between major cities including Kaliburg, Alcaria, Turtle Bay, Tian'an, Haldor and many other cities throughout the northern hemisphere through new long haul aircraft to be developed by the Artanian Defence Group. Kenny is expected to sign an agreement to share code with Commonwealth Airways that will see passengers earn and redeem frequent flyer points from all three airlines, a revolutionary agreement in its own right. Already the airline has spearheaded the creation of a smaller low-cost airline in Majatra coined Heij Airlines. Heij Airlines is expected to fly within South-Western Majatra within nations such as Cobura, Zardugal, Barmenistan, Vanuku, Jakania, Deltaria and Jelbania.
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Post by maxington on Jun 21, 2019 18:22:22 GMT
Luthorian electronic corporation Panoramic has complained at an economic seminar hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth that it is difficult to do business in Sekowo, especially against the unregulated oligopolies established within the Sekowan technology and financial sectors. A formal complain has been lodged by the company to both the Luthorian Financial Conduct Agency and the Sekowan Ministry of Finance against technology firms such as Adashi for allegedly misusing its market power to limit the movement and potential of foreign corporations in the technology market and virtually murder competition through to wholesale suppliers, forcing wholesale partners into product caps that were uncompetititve with its own retail offerings, and refusing to supply wholesale services in the technologies and services market. Panoramic stated that it was forced to approach the Consumer and Competition Agency and the Sekowan Ministry of Finance in their joint positions to mediate joint Sekowan-Luthorian market concerns as apart of the agreement in the Luthorian- Sekowan Free Trade Agreement. CEO and President of Panoramic, Sir Isadore Dewitt stated that Adashi's behaviour within the technologies market was an extension of its approach to other services in the technologies market.
According to an economist from the University of Fort William, the Luthorian-Sekowan Free Trade Agreement and the acclaimed Alcaria Agreement are positioning to discipline Sekowan monopolies. The economist stated that if international trade is beneficial when a domestic industry is competitive, it's even more so when that domestic industry is a monopoly. International free trade can force a monopolist to produce as if it is a competitive industry. This is especially important for smaller countries, which are likely to have more monopolies. He explained that the no trade equilibrium with the monopoly is worse than that of the competitive domestic industry. This means for the usual reasons the monopoly charges more and produces less. Whilst free trade brings about little change in the aforementioned equilibrium, free trade forces monopolies to act as though they were existing in a competitive domestic industry whereby their dominance in the market was contested by an external force. The economist stated that where Panoramic can produce its products at a lower cost due to international trade and the lack of an established monopoly at home, Adashi cannot mainly due to the high cost as it marks the prices up for product production to be sold at higher prices. Adashi cannot rely on tariffs and imports as a means of swaying the population from utilising foreign goods mainly due to the fact that the aforementioned free trade mechanism remove all tariffs and taxes on trade between Luthori and Sekowo. The economist stated that Panoramic has little to worry about Adashi's existing monopoly mainly due to the fact that with time as the company continues to produce products at a lower cost, free trade will force the monopoly to make room for foreign products. He concluded that a breach in this trend via direct government intervention from the Sekowan Government would be a violation of the Luthorian-Sekowan Free Trade Agreement and the Alcaria Agreement.
Commissioner of the Consumer and Competition Agency, Sean Harrison stated that whilst the CCA can only handle domestic instances, it can make an appeal to the Sekowan Finance Ministry and request that an investigation be conducted into consumer affairs conduct as it pertains to Adashi, Panoramic and the Televisions industry. Harrison did state that he found it interesting that the Sekowan Government would allow for monopolies to become so unregulated and virtually kill competition. It is note to state that although Luthorian corporations will flourish as free trade kicks in, for nations who do not maintain a free trade agreement with Sekowo, the monopoly maintained by companies with as Adashi will become a major problem in their capacity to expand completely into the Sekowan markets.
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Post by maxington on Jun 23, 2019 12:26:57 GMT
Five hundred airborne paratroopers of 6 Para dropped into Keymon earlier this morning as the Luthorian Armed Forces tests its capacity to respond to military incidences within Keymon. The scenario, as described by Major-General Douglas Hamilton, simulated the Luthorian Army's Keymon Garrison being overrun by an opposing force and put the challenge to 1st Airborne Division, the Imperial Marines and the 2nd Duke of Orange Light Infantry Regiment to mount a speedy response through an airborne assault, an amphibious landing and to reinforce the Garrison. According to Major-General Hamilton, the exercise is designed to test whether the Armed Forces, particularly the rapid reaction forces are capable of reacting within a speedy time period. He noted that with mounting logistical concerns (a problem which the LAF is aware of), it may hinder the speed at which the rapid reaction force may be mobilised. Currently, the RRF have a division-size deployment time of 48 hours, however General Hamilton stated Keymon's relative distance from Luthori should allow for the Luthorian Armed Forces to shed down the time to a mere 24 hours.
Currently, around 25,000 troops are stationed in Keymon across various facilities, including naval installations and airbases. Hamilton stated that the relative urbanisation of Turtle Bay and Jamestown offer extreme opportunity for the troops to hone their skills in urban warfare as this is mainly the environment in which most of the fighting (if it were to happen) would take place. Airborne armoured vehicles such as the Saber armoured fighting vehicle were dropped into the sky outskirts alongside airborne troops. The amphibious assault which has been launched from the HIMS-Discovery drilled the amphibious assault ship's air wings as helicopters based on the vessel were tasked with airlifting troops from the ship to the beach. Whilst the Imperial Marines may lack an amphibious assault vehicle, they make up for it with its own close-air-support wing tasked with stunning the enemy prior the helicopter landings of the marines. Apache helicopters and Harriers jump jets form the backbone of this close air support structure. The Keymon Defence Forces were observes at the exercise. It has long been the policy of the Luthorian Garrison in Keymon to teach the local population and the now estimated defence force on the principles of island defence. Hamilton noted that because Keymon lacked strategic depth, its defence forces had to be capable of prolonging an invasion long enough to see the island be reinforced by Commonwealth troops.
There has been significant chatter within the Ministry of Defence on the potential of forming a functioning permanent expeditionary force made up entirely of the Imperial Marines. Currently, the size of the Imperial Marines amounts to around 5,000 active with around 10,000 in reserve. Whilst the corps size Imperial Marines is over the horizon, there is a lot of work to be done as it pertains to its combat effectiveness and professionalism. The aim was to transform the Imperial Marines and the Airborne into the most effective expeditionary fighting forces in the world.
In a 400 to 200 vote, the Imperial Diet passed legislation that would provide for an across-the-board, 3% increase to government civilian employees and prevent national wages of full-time employees from dropping below Ⱡ1,000 a month. If passed by the House of Nobles, it could see an increase in wages for government employees and government assurance for full-time private employees in all sectors of employment that their wages will not decrease below Ⱡ1,000. Months prior, Luthori's largest labour unions had marched in-front of the Parliament building in protest of the current labour standards as upheld by the previous conservative regime. The Public Service Association has stated that amidst the nation's rapid economic development, government employees should benefit from said development through a pay increase. It has been stated that the increase was negotiated between the Public Service Association and the Ministry of Labour and Small Business Enterprise, with the former proposing a 5% increase for which the latter rejected. President of the Public Service Association Dennis McDonald stated that whilst he did not obtain the desired 5% increase, he stated that the 3% increase meant that the government was willing to begin the journey towards visualising and actualising its promise to the workers of Luthori.
The previous conservative regime had upheld a pay-freeze, whereby the government did not increase the wages of government employees. Conservative party members argued that the government could not afford as much as an annual 1.8% increase. The decision to stop increasing the salary of government employees came with outcry by various labour unions most notably labour unions oriented around public service/government employees how had not received a pay increase in five years since the conservative government had entered No.48. The Financial Emergencies Act of 1990 allows for the government to cancel or "freeze" the increase of public service/government employee wages in the event of a national emergency or serious economic situation affecting welfare. The act had been brought into creation by Imperial Chancellor Sir Brian James, who on the backdrop of a collapsing economic situation, could no longer guarantee an increase of wages to government employees which had been nearly completely mandated by the Public Employees Act of 1981, which stated that the government had to negotiate with labour unions on an annual wage increase.
Various conservative DM (Diet Members) who had championed support for the pay-freeze years prior have been laconic in the government increase, with many refusing the comment on the fact as to why the conservative party remains determined in defending the pay-freeze brought about by the party when it was in government. Political leader of the Conservative Party, Cameron Beck stated that the raise was inappropriate amidst labour disturbance. In a letter to the Ministry of Finance and the Economy and the Ministry of Labour and Small Business Enterprise, Beck stated if an increase were to be championed in should be based on performance and merit, disregarding increases in cost of living or other factors. The letter, according to Finance Minister Isadore Dewitt, did little to mention the fact that the economic hardships mentioned in the letter were at the hands of the austerity measures imposed by the conservative party and that said measures have been reversed and/or removed entirely. The House of Nobles is expected to vote on the legislation on Friday with imperial assent to be granted 2 week after.
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Post by maxington on Jun 24, 2019 18:09:22 GMT
The Imperial Diet unanimously voted to lift sanctions against Beluzia after nearly six years. The target sanctions, in effect since January 2020, blocked trade between Luthori and Beluzia, restricted the movement of capital and foreign exchange between the two nations and also prevented citizens from either nation the ability to travel to the other nation. It also froze the assets of Beluzian officials. The sanctions came amidst the coup orchestrated by the incumbent fascist government overthrew the elected government. Whilst there had been considerable calls for sanctions to be imposed for crimes against humanity, the Luthorian Government could not find such a case amongst the fascist uprising. Since its initial implementation the Luthorian Government has not debated on increasing the pressure of the sanctions to target other individuals and to ensure that the Beluzian economy is squeezed into submission. When asked as to why the government had not increased the pressure of the sanctions, Foreign Minister Paulette St.Clair stated that the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs had concluded that there was no reason to increase the pressure of the sanctions in the years leading up to now.
The possibility that the sanctions would be lifted emerged in 2023 when then Foreign Minister Jordan Tannenbay announced the official foreign policy shift of the government to begin easing the sanctions amidst the fascist government's liberalisation. Since 2023, the government has come a long-way to its initial signs of liberalisation. As observed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the regime had make valiant efforts towards provided welfare and healthcare for all citizens and steps towards watering down the far-right sentiment. Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman has stated her intentions of seeing Beluzia reintroduced to established global order, citing the nation's recent liberalisation. However, she stated that whilst the Luthorian Government may be becoming increasingly accepting of the regime's liberalisation, she warned that any attempt to subvert or destroy the established peace through any unwarranted or inhumane act on the part of the fascist regime, will be viewed by Fort William as a threat to the establish peace and will be dealt with accordingly through an asymmetrical response.
We recognise the Beluzian regime's liberalisation but remain vigilant. Whilst we will continue to welcome back to the established global order, we seek to remain vigilant on its government's actions, especially amidst its domestic development. Speaking on the effect of the sanctions, economist Monty Grant stated that whilst the sanctions may not have been strong, the impact was still noticeable. With the threat of a blockade hanging over the regime's head as the Luthorian Government had previously warned to impose if the regime had create the case for such a measure, the Beluzian regime inched towards a closed economy. elf-sufficient, which means no imports come into the country and no exports leave the country. The purpose of a closed economy is to provide domestic consumers with everything they need from within the country's borders. Grant argues that whilst that idea may be sold to the international community by the Beluzian Government, he stated that it was impossible to implement. The need for raw materials for the manufacturing of equipment and goods collapses the idea of a closed economy as Beluzia lacks resource diversity. Whilst its land may be extremely fertile, it lacks many raw materials which other nations may lack and/or possess. Grant stated that the idea of a closed economy under an autarky was counter-intuitive. Grant however did state that whilst the idea of a completely closed economy driven through self-sufficiency was impossible, he stated that it was possible for the regime to close off parts of its economy. He noted that competitiveness, including exchange rate appreciation are going to become serious issues for the Beluzian regime once the sanctions are lifted and its trade volume increases. "By specialising in labour and allocating resources to their most productive, efficient operations, companies and individuals can increase their wealth."
The Imperial Diet took the lead earlier this morning by ratifying the Alcaria Agreement with the Mordusia, Darnussia, Keymon, Sekowo and Likatonia by a massive margin. The Alcaria Agreement, formerly the Three Mountains Agreement – was designed as a free trade zone between member states with the intention of ensuring each member was treated as an equal and that the organisation as a whole could not infringe of the trading and economic rights of one member. So far, the Luthorian Government is the only one of the six nations to ratify the treaty. Following the ratification, Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman called the treaty's ratification as a "step in the right direction." Luthori is set to be a major benefactor of trade among the bloc, having open its markets to trade by the member states. The Holy Luthorian Empire is the largest economy in the Alcaria Agreement and acts as the financial foundation for the bloc's stability and the enabler of fluid trade among the member states. As with any free trade initiative, the Alcaria Agreement seeks to remove taxes and tariffs on trade among member states and enable free movement of goods, services and people within the member states.
The passage of the treaty came about 3 months after Imperial Chancellor Zimmerman tabled the ratification in the House of Commons. An extraordinary session of the House of Commons was convened to consider the deal after it broke off for recess at the beginning of December. The Diet passed the deal 500-100 with around 80 lawmakers abstaining and twenty voting against the legislation. Zimmerman expressed confidence that the legislation would pass with the blessing of the opposition. Zimmerman has long wanted to ratify the agreement remove uncertainty for Luthorian investors and focus on domestic priorities. In the House of Nobles, many nobles expressed concern for the unpredictability of some of the member states, notably Likatonia who is currently in a transitional phase amidst a brutal civil conflict, but still offered support for the deal as it is a way to provide economic stability to Likatonia. Chairman of the Select Committee on Economics, Douglas Baker stated that the agreement synonymous with opportunity in the short and long term.
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Post by maxington on Jun 28, 2019 16:56:20 GMT
As the night retreats to the beat of the rising sun, the imperial standard flies at half-mast this morning as sad news from the Imperial Palace awakens Luthori. His Most Imperial Highness (HMIH) Emperor Alexis I, has died at the age of 90, ending his fifty-year reign on the throne during which he became a unifying father figure and a stable source of stability in Luthori's most troubled times. A statement from the Imperial Household Bureau said, Emperor Alexis who had been the longest ruling monarch in Luthorian history, has passed away peacefully at 5:00 am in his sleep. New of the Emperor's death arrived about 2 hours after his actual time of death in accordance with protocol as laid out by the Imperial Household Bureau. Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman, dressed in a black suit, appeared on a black themed, Luthorian Central Broadcasting Corporation broadcast after the announcement to signal to the nation that a 3 month long mourning period will be observed. Zimmerman confirmed that Princess Claudia would ascend to the throne. All television channels switched to a black theme and showed snipets of Emperor Alexis' life. In the months leading to today, Emperor Alexis had been absent from most public events he had accustom to appearing at. At the changing of the guard in the Imperial Palace he had been mostly absent, only appearing to approve of the guard changing. The Imperial Household Bureau has refused to release details on the specifics of the Emperor's cause of death, only stipulating that he had died peacefully in his sleep. His death sheds light on certain instances of his absence
Most Luthorians have known Emperor Alexis on the throne and his influence superseded that of politicians and Imperial Chancellors who have come and gone since his ascension to the throne. As the news had been broadcasted nationally and internationally, in Fort William a crowd appeared before the gates of the Imperial Palace to mourn the passing of the monarch whom many Luthorians had essential grown up with and whom many Luthorians had accepted as a father figure. Whilst the nation had seen its share of political crisis's, the throne under Emperor Alexis had weathered the political storms brought about by said situations, standing as the only stable institution of power. The fact that many of Luthori's political figures (controversial or not) crawled in the presence of the Emperor illustrated how he maintained stability within the nations highest echelons of power, even during times of national flux. His reign saw the expansion of the commonwealth, the reestablishment of the Imperial Chancellery as a position demanding of great respect and professionalism and oversaw major geopolitical turnovers in the commonwealth, most notably Keymon's transition from a colonial republic to an independent state underneath the providence of the crown. Emperor Alexis I was the Emperor of the Dominion of Keymon, Lodamon, the Union of New Luthori and Rutania, all of whom he granted independence to during the infancy of his time on the throne.
Emperor Alexis ascended to the throne on June 14th, 1968 after the untimely death of his father, Emperor Stuart II due to a heart attack. Although he was unable to immediately ascend to the throne as he was in Mordusia, finishing his studies, a regent in the form of then Queen Dowager Edith of Middlebrook, Alexis' mother, was installed. Emperor Alexis assumed the throne in a public coronation, henceforth ending the 4 months regency of Queen Dowager Edith. As the Emperor is the Supreme Governor of the Church of Luthori, he was considered near divine to the most stringent of followers in the church. His title as Supreme Governor of the Church of Luthori will be passed onto his Heir Apparent, Princess Claudia. Whilst not versed in the musical arts as his father Emperor Stuart who was an acclaimed pianist, Emperor Alexis I focused most of his attention on the academics, having obtained a PhD in Herpetology (the study of amphibians, caecilians and reptiles). In the commonwealth states, the flags of the host nation, the commonwealth flag and the imperial standard will fly at half mast for seven days. Emperor Alexis' body will be moved from the Imperial Palace, to Chester House where it will be on display to the public for seven days. The Imperial Household has not commented on when the funeral will take place, however as procedure dictates it must occur around one month after the monarch's death. The following three days will commence the mourning period, for which the Imperial Chancellor has declared public holidays for which the population can use to remember the life of Emperor Alexis I. The inner city had been devoid of automobile traffic, as the City of Fort William commences its 3 days of silence in commemoration for the Emperor.
THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! THE KING IS DEAD, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! _____________________________________________________
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Post by maxington on Jul 1, 2019 0:25:44 GMT
On the backdrop of the funeral of the beloved Emperor Alexis I, the streets of Fort William have been filled with great elation and hope. For its first coronation in more than half a century, Luthori pulled out all the stops. In a ceremony, commemorating the legacy of her father whilst also wishing for hope and grace upon her reign, Empress Claudia I, was blessed with holy water, had the imperial crown placed on her head and held the crown jewels in hand, vesting her Empress Claudia I of Luthori. Issuing her first command after being crowned, the Empress vowed to continue to preserve and strengthen the legacy of the monarchy whilst ensure that the institution itself remains of relevance to the nation, both the elderly and the youthful population. In essence, the Empress expressed her vow to ensure that the monarchy, remains a monarchy that is extremely "down to earth" as she puts it in her own words. The ceremony, according to the Imperial Household Bureau costed around some 600 million pounds. The morning coronation was held at St. Michael's Cathedral with the Empress dressed a simple white dress was blessed with holy water by the Archbishop of Middlebrook. The coronation had come around a month after as Empress Claudia's ascension to the throne after her father, Emperor Alexis I's death. In contrast to her father's coronation, Empress Claudia's takes a more modern approach involving television broadcasts, etc. Present at the coronation was King Consort James, the Empress' husband. Hundreds of people gathered outside St. Michael's Palace as dressed in red and white to signify the national colours of Luthori. At 2:30 pm, the ceremony had concluded at the newly anointed Empress was paraded across Fort William in full view of the public where she ended her parade at the Imperial Palace. It is hoped that the new empress will continue the legacy once built and upheld by her father.
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Post by maxington on Jul 1, 2019 0:27:41 GMT
Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Timothy Calliwell has ordered that the Holy Luthorian Empire provide assistance to Likatonia in rebuilding and modernising the nation's armed forces from scratch, saying that starting afresh and alongside Likatonia would allow for the nation to field an extremely capable military for a nation of both its size and geopolitical position. Whilst Likatonia and Luthori do not maintain official military relations, as the former begins to reconstruct itself domestically amidst a devastating civil conflict, it is becoming increasingly clear to the government in Fort William and the Ministry of Defence that a security relationship would Likatonia would be beneficial to both nations in the long-term. Likatonia is currently undergoing a transition back towards civil administration as the quasi-junta/absolute monarchy which remains in amidst the outcome of the civil conflict begins to full-fill the terms of the peace negotiations which had been strong handed by the government in Alcaria. The Mordusian Government, having promised to oversee Likatonia's reconstruction as up to this point failed to deliver on its promises as little development as it pertains to reconstruction efforts out of the Mordusian promise, is being observed. Admiral Calliwell stated that whilst the Luthorian government maintained confidence in the Mordusian Government's ability to deliver on its premise to oversee a peaceful and organised return of Likatonia to geopolitical normality, he stated that little attention has been paid on the side of defence. He stated that whilst Likatonia exists in its transition phase, it is extremely vulnerable and must field a defensive capacity capable of ensuring the nation's well-being in the event of a potential eruption of conflict within the nation once more.
The Admiral stated that Mordusia had not indicated any moves as it pertains to ensuring Likatonia's defence in this time of transition. To counteract this, the Admiral visited the Likatonian capital of Clovisport, where he spoke with members of Likatonia's defence apparatus on the importance of stable defence to ensure domestic stability. According to the Admiral, the idea of Luthorian assistance to Likatonia had floated within the higher echelons of the Ministry of Defence prior to the civil conflict, however amidst various geopolitical shifts the idea was dropped when the Ministry of Defence saw that its implementation was not feasible at the time. Now with the nation making steady strides towards relative stability, the Ministry of Defence has reconsidered the implementation of such plan for the reorganisation and modernisation of Likatonia's defence capacity.
In responding to a question on how Luthori intended on implementing the such a major security enhancement as it pertains to Likatonia, recognising that there admiral had hinted at the reorganisation of the Likatonian military, the Admiral stated that such a matter was not for him to answer but was to be answered by the Ministry of Defence, more specifically Defence Minister Jordan Tannenbay and Permanent Secretary of Defence, Aydin Matthews.
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Post by maxington on Jul 2, 2019 12:42:16 GMT
Imperial Mail announces earlier this morning that it has completed an investment in AGL (Austin, Graham and Lewis) to support the continued growth initiatives of the company as an international delivery service. Imperial Mail acquired a controlling interest in AGL from Aegis Capital Investment. AGL's international delivery service boasts of a cutting-edge technological backing, reinforced by conscientious business decisions and planning. The company believes that other corporations make logistics into an extremely complicated and "hard to manage" ordeal, hence preventing entrepreneurs from jumping into the industry with fresh ideas. As logistics continues to be over-complicated by major state-owned companies, AGL continues to demonstrate to said state-owned companies and their customers that logistics is an extremely easy operation to manage/oversee once the willingness to work beyond the call of duty is present in the corporation's business model and within the attitudes of the employees themselves. CEO of Imperial Mail, Leighton May stated that the corporation had chosen AGL, because both companies share a joint vision of providing uncomplicated logistical services to create a frictionless, trusted and professional service to customers, locally, regionally and internationally.
AGL has exceeded its own record of profitability and sales growth and has expanded its presence with an oversees office on the Bretton Islands. The company has begun to acquire new technologies and has also investment in various transportation solutions including aircraft and container shipping. Already talks are in progress between AGL and Lodamese shipping corporation, North Line on a potential merger between the corporations. The merger is being led by AGL who now has the financial backing of Imperial Mail, the sole national mail service of the Holy Luthori Empire. Some insight into both corporations: Imperial Mail or the Imperial Mail Service is Luthori's largest and only mailing corporation owned by the Luthorian Government as an independent crown corporation. The Luthorian Government provides subsidies to ensure that the corporation remains afloat having weathered various financial situations via the aforementioned government subsidies. Imperial Mail maintains thousands of offices across Luthori and has begun internal talks on expanding its operations outside of Luthori through a subsidiary corporation, maybe AGL. AGL or (Austin, Graham and Lewis) is a Luthorian international delivery service formed by cooperative founders George Austin, Steven Graham and Michael Lewis, who were former couriers for the Imperial Mail Service. The company specialises in international overnight shipping and possess a handful of aircraft and shipping containers as a means of enabling its international portfolio. The introduction of Imperial Mail as a major stakeholder, allows for the corporation to benefit from the company's relative wealth and could see AGL begin to acquire more aircraft, vehicles and takeover North Line under the decade long negotiations between the two companies.
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Post by maxington on Jul 2, 2019 12:58:19 GMT
Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman has dissolved the House of Commons, paving the way for an early election that will once more test the public's support for the liberal government and its recent economic and political policies. Zimmerman called the election, to be held in September, days after data showed that the Luthorian economy was slowly walking back into a recession. The Imperial Chancellor who retook the office in 2023, having won the first time in 2019, is treating the election as a referendum on the liberal party's economic principles, through lifting the nation's economy out of stagnation. Her strategy of economic reform, investment and increase private-public cooperation, is under scrutiny as the Bank of Luthori reported a drop in GDP by 1.4% in the months coming to today's announcement. The figures have shocked many within the government who had thought that the economic policies of the incumbent government had been beneficial and that growth within Luthori would continue on its trend of steadily increasing since the Liberal Government took control. The Imperial Chancellor has been dodging questions about the state of the economy for the past few days as she had been planning to dissolve the parliament prior to the debate on repealing the sales tax increase impose by her government during the FY 2025 fiscal debate.
Zimmerman has, since being elected to office in 2019, never touched the topic of Luthori's national debt. A report by the Bank of Luthori has stated that whilst over the past years, the nation's GDP and growth in general had increased the national debt had increased with it. Many within the Conservative spectrum have lambasted Zimmerman on the matter stated that she was allowing for Luthori to walk blindly into a debt crisis. Political Leader of the New Conservative Party, Charles Harridan stated that his party had long advocated for reducing the national debt imposed by previous left-wing governments. He said: The early election will also be used by Charles Harridan as an attempt to claim public support for three major economic policies the New Conservative Party hopes to roll out once brought into government. The first being the cancelling of the national debt, the second being major spending cuts and reinvestment into key government institutions and reduced political pressure on private institutions as a means of promoting increased economic activity through private venture. Harridan is in favour of increased taxation across the board, even though a major of voters oppose the move recognising the strain it would place in low income families/individuals existing within the lower brackets of the tax system. Internally, the Liberal Party has begun a leadership race amidst the early election call. As Zimmerman has expressed her intention to run for leader of the liberal party once more, using her established footing the party as an advantage to other contenders such as Jordan Tannenbay, Paulette St. Clair, Edmund Ross and Clark Bainbridge.
Jordan Tannenbay has ousted Imperial Chancellor Elizabeth Zimmerman as leader of the Liberal Party. According to insiders, Tannebay won by some 58 votes to 45 in a leadership ballot of liberal lawmakers. The change comes ahead of the general election in September, which many political analysts have suggested that the Liberal Party would be defeated by the rising clout of the quiet, yet extremely deadly Labour Party. Since the cabinet reshuffling, it has been revealed that a bitter rivalry had been brewing within the upper echelons of the party when Tannenbay was dropped from the Foreign Ministry position to Defence Ministry. The rivalry had almost fragmented the party along the lines of Zimmerman's classic liberalism versus Tannenbay's conservative liberalism. The vote makes Tannenbay the leader of the Liberal Party, but does not make him Imperial Chancellor. Ms. Zimmerman must meet with Empress Claudia I, stating that she will be resigning before Tannenbay can be sworn in.
Despite their internal rivalry, Tannenbay praised Zimmerman for her extraordinary contribution to the liberal party and the wider prospects of civil life within Luthori. Tannenbay is more popular with voters than Zimmerman and many believe the party could cripple the conservative bloc, which had almost out-performed the government during the 2025 local government elections which saw the result at a slim 52 / 48 in terms of local government seats. However, political analyst Jonathan Etton has stated that it is highly unlikely that the Liberal Party under Tannenbay would deliver the same damage it brought to the conservative bloc underneath Zimmerman. It is because of this that many within the political spectrum believe that the liberal party could see its first defeat in 8 years. Many argue as to whom will bring about said defeat with some arguing that it would be the newly created Labour Party or the Conservative Coalition for Luthori (CCL) comprising of the New Conservative Party and the Patriotic Front.
This recent leadership test was Zimmerman's second after having won the first back in 2014 after then Imperial Chancellor and leader of the Liberal Party, Sebastian Harvey-Lottway, had resign due to health concerns. At the time Tannenbay had been a quiet power-broker within the party's leadership lending to his father, Isaac Tannenbay who had been chairman of the liberal party at the time. Zimmerman had been contesting the leadership position against the likes of Paulette St.Clair and Clark Bainbridge. Having won after demolishing both St.Clair and Bainbridge in the first and second round of the leadership election, Zimmerman went on to be Luthori's second female Imperial Chancellor after Dame Adelia Pierson .A major shakeup in the cabinet is expected following the leadership change as Tannenbay moves to replace Zimmerman's classic liberals with his conservative liberals. This could mean bad news for the likes of Paulette St. Clair, who had identified herself as a strong proponent of the Zimmerman Liberal Party.
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